Tough week

We had a reorg this week. Saying goodbye to colleagues with whom you developed a kinship of sorts isn't easy. I knew something was in the works when my boss kept evading persistent questions about allocating resources to the project I am working on.

In my previous company there were seven layoffs during my time there. Each time there was a layoff, you wondered if you were on the "list". After the fact there was a sense of relief that you survived but it was also tempered with a sense of sadness as you bid other colleagues goodbye. Going to the office knowing that a layoff was due that day was no fun. Each time I go through this process, I am humbled by the thought that it could have been me packing my boxes and leaving.

There were some very good people with years of good experience who were let go. You wonder sometimes how they decided on who to lay off. Was it arbitrary or did they have some criteria?

It must be tough for the guys who have been let go. One guy just had a baby. Fortunately his wife works as well. So they have something to fall back on. There are others who are in more dire circumstances because of their visa status.

I went around and talked to the folks I could meet. I tried to cheer them up and asked them to keep their spirits up. I am fairly new in the company and I wonder if they looked at me and said how come he stays and I am let go?